Prof. Dirk Hirthe and his Miraphone F tuba 481 "Elektra"

[cambrook]

Here's a promo clip from Miraphone......


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38EfGtPJCF0" target="_blank

[Bob Kolada]

Cool video!

[bort]

Definitely a first name that's a lot cooler in German than in English: "Deer-k" versus "Durk"

Cool video, I always love seeing how these are made. All the metal working looks so medieval.

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Played one of these at NERTEC today--a real nice F tuba--very impressed. Pitch is excellent and it has a beautiful sound.
Mark

[jasoncatchpowle]

Hey Cam,

Tim Buzbee and Lai Tak are both getting this horn, should be arriving at the end of the month. I look forward to trying it!

Jason

[Steve Marcus]

Miraphone alone offers 5 completely individual F-tuba models (not just the same models with different number of valves). It's remarkable that there are so many divergent preferences, designs, and applications for F-tubas...not to mention the numerous F-tuba models offered by other companies!

[cjk]

on the 6 valve version with the valves arranged 4+2, which left finger operates the flat whole step valve, index or middle?

[Ferguson]

on the 6 valve version with the valves arranged 4+2, which left finger operates the flat whole step valve, index or middle?

Miraphone will build it either way you want, but on the stock model Elektra, the left index finger operates the whole step valve.

F

[bububassboner]

I played three different versions of this horn at the Musik Messe on Saturday. Two Yellow brass 6 valve horns and one 5 valve gold brass horn. I personally liked the five valve horn more. With this horn your right hand is a little higher than with a horn like the firebird or bel canto. With the 5 valve horn I didn't notice this too much but with the 4+2 horns it seemed really noticeable to me. This horn is different than the bel canto or firebird. None of the large parts were used in this horn. It was a great horn and I would have no issue using one but it didn't really "shake my hand" if you know what I mean. It seems to be right in between the firebird and the bel canto size wise and sound wise to me. If you like Miraphone F tubas you'll like this horn.

[bisontuba]

I played three different versions of this horn at the Musik Messe on Saturday. Two Yellow brass 6 valve horns and one 5 valve gold brass horn. I personally liked the five valve horn more. With this horn your right hand is a little higher than with a horn like the firebird or bel canto. With the 5 valve horn I didn't notice this too much but with the 4+2 horns it seemed really noticeable to me. This horn is different than the bel canto or firebird. None of the large parts were used in this horn. It was a great horn and I would have no issue using one but it didn't really "shake my hand" if you know what I mean. It seems to be right in between the firebird and the bel canto size wise and sound wise to me. If you like Miraphone F tubas you'll like this horn.

Hi-
I know what you mean about the right hand 'being higher' on the Elektra. That, and the first valve slide needing a 'pull ring' to grab onto were the only negatives on this model that I tried last week.
Mark

[Rick Denney]

I played one at the Army conference, and thought it had playability (that is: It's easy to play) on a par with my Yamaha 621, but with a bigger, more colorful sound. But I think it still lacked all of the sweetness of my B&S (a six-valve PT-9 with the same bore as the old Symphonie), which required only slightly more effort. If I didn't already own the Yamaha and the older-profile B&S, considering the limitations of the former and the relative rarity of the latter, the Miraphone 481 would be a real contender. But, then, I'd probably have already bought one of the other Miraphone F tubas.

Rick "thinking Miraphone has been leaving everyone in the dust for new F tuba design of late" Denney